By Sylvia
On Saturday, October 5, teachers in Uganda joined their counterparts worldwide to highlight a growing crisis: between 2021 and 2023, at least 1,278 teachers have died due to stress.
Gaki Stephen, coordinator of the Rwenzori Albertine Head Teachers Association and chairperson of the Fort Portal Primary Head Teachers Association, reported that in 2021, a total of 500 head teachers were affected, and just two years later, five more have lost their lives to stress-related issues.
Insufficient Salaries
Speaking at the International Teacher’s Day event at Nyabukara Youth Center, Gaki emphasized that the government has not adequately recognized the critical role teachers play, particularly through insufficient salary enhancements.
He noted that the low salaries relative to the high cost of living have left many teachers in precarious financial situations, leading to significant stress and health issues.
UNATU opts for Teacher’s Health Fund
In response to this crisis, Gaki announced that, in collaboration with UNATU, they have established a Teachers Health Fund aimed at improving their welfare. However, he reported that only 120 out of 250 teachers in Fort Portal have joined the fund, which requires a monthly contribution of 5,000 shillings.
He urged fellow educators to take action and not to wait for government intervention.
Joseph Ruhweza, chairperson of UNATU for Fort Portal, highlighted the need for the government to increase the capitation grant for schools. Currently set at only 12,000 shillings per pupil annually, he argued that this amount is insufficient to cover essential school operations, including maintenance and cleaning.
In a message delivered by Patrick Ategeka, the Fort Portal central division senior education officer, Linda Irene, the woman MP for Fort Portal, pledged to continue advocating for improved education initiatives and policies that support the teaching profession.
